When you think of a chemical spill, it might not occur that chemicals running across the surface of the ground are also leaching into the soil below and the underground water sources (groundwater). In Indianapolis, Indiana, local codes and ordinances have been put into place in areas where groundwater is used as our drinking source.
If you are careful to contain your contaminants in your car repair shop, you will avoid polluting your site, the environment and avoid a potentially expensive clean-up down the road.
Here are a few simple tips for preventing contaminant spills at car repair or other automotive type shops.
- Cover drains in the work area to stop accidental oil, coolant or anti-freeze spill from flowing down them
- Use drip pans underneath work areas including cars and individual parts to catch drips and spills. Many items can be used as drip pans from plastic totes to metal trays.
- When storing removed engine or drive train parts, sit them on shallow trays or in heavy duty totes to prevent slow drip of oil and coolant onto the floor.
- Never leave engines and parts sitting on grass, soil or gravel!
- Use funnels when filling containers or vehicles – these really do help to stop spills and drips.
- Always have spill kit materials in your work areas to clean up spills as soon as they occur. Spill kits can include absorbent pads and socks, or a granular product such as Oil-Dri or kitty litter.
If your business is in a drinking water protection area in Marion County, free and confidential technical assistance is available to help you implement required practices and you may quality for free secondary containment supplies. Contact us to learn how to get started.
Being a good community member is good for your business too! It will be appreciated by your customers.
